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Association of Social Media Professionals

Association of Social Media Professionals

Sadbhawna Today

Sadbhawna Today

Monday, January 3, 2011

Delhi govt to upgrade facilities at night shelters

Homeless people living in night shelters in the city can hope for better amenities in coming days as Delhi Government decided to upgrade facilities at these centres as soon as possible. After visiting various night shelters on Monday, Delhi Finance Minister A K Walia, said he has directed the departments concerned to provide adequate medical facilities to the occupants apart from basic amenities such as toilet, clean ambience, sanitation, blankets and drinking water.

Delhi Government has already released Rs two crore for improving infrastructure at permanent night shelters. Walia said government would do its best to provide shelter to all the homeless people in the city so that they can protect themselves from the shivering cold.

Walia said 86 temporary night shelters have been functioning in the city currently against 24 last year. He said 64 permanent night shelters are being operated by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board which functions under Delhi Government.

Earlier these shelters were run by Slum and JJ Department of MCD. Walia said DUSIB was in process of identifying more places for setting up of night shelters.The Minister also instructed the officers to deploy mobile health check-up vans at each and every night shelter at least twice a week.

Walia said he was also coordinating with Health Department and NGOs to make arrangements to undertake chest x-ray of all homeless presently putting up in night shelters. An amount of Rs 70 lakh has already been released by the DUSIB for providing beddings to the homeless people intemporary night shelters.